express yourself

I don't know how else to handle with sorrow than by art. it's all about expression and emotionality.

At the end we are all human. we're vulnerable visitors on this planet... some leave too early. the void they leave in our lifes is hard to accept and we refill it with loving memories...remember those you left and those you losed. remember what was the relation between you and what is your best memory you share...

the arab word for human is "insan" and is related with the verb "to forget". we easely forget, that's how we're made and that's how we operate. I wouldn't say it is right this way but I know that in many cases it's the easiest way to survive...

don't forget those you loved and those who where near to you. at the end we all will go one day and hopefully there are some people who don't forget about us...

increasing step by step

my special erotic art project is on a good way. shooting dates are fixed, the photostudio and most of the models are booked. now I can focus on the settings and outfits for each model. it's so much fun and I'm looking forward to finally start with the shootings. afterwards I will be occupied by viewing and selecting the images and then: time for postprocessing!

Recently I've made this snapshot with my iphone and I love this image, because it shows the inspiration for my project. so you may be curious about the series I'm planning!

And soon I'll give my first personal coaching in postprocessing. I usually feel a little unconfortable teaching others, but I somehow look forward to make this new experience. live is great - it gives us always new inspirations and objectives to reach and that's how we increase step by step...

cheers, calisto

special erotic art project

I've finally got one week of holidays. I really needed this break from work and for having time to prepare my new project. It's a erotic art project, special in his dimensions, crop and style. So I'm currently choosing the models and planning the shootings in autumn. I'm very excited about this project and I envisage to present the whole series in a exhibition in spring 2011.

For the moment I have some difficulties to find a model from switzerland with dorsal- and/or arm-tattoos. Beside that there are models participating, specialised in nude, dessous, fetish and in burlesque. I'm looking forward to those shootings and to make the series grow image by image...

Cheers, Calisto

publication in BLUR Magazine

this image is published in the recent issue of BLUR MAGAZINE.

"Hear this voice from deep inside
It's the call of your heart
Close your eyes and you'will find
The way out of the dark."

smile, though your heart is aching

it's one year that michael jackson passed away and to me it still is so unreal...It seams to have been yesterday that my girlfriend called me and told me about it. I did not believed her and went to the web and there I found news messages everywhere...it was a moment to me that my world stopped for seconds...

my husband and I watched the funeral celebration on tv and I could not stop crying because I wished he was showed all of that love when he still was alive. this was all that he ever wanted I guess and it was alwyas so sad to me how allone he seamed to be. today I was thinking of him a lot and I hope from the bottom of my heart, that where he is now he is surrounded by love and divine light and that his restless soul finally got peace.

this was his favorite song.
I miss you - RIP MJ! ♥

about idols, arts and scribbles

 remember that the choice of a profession was really difficult to me. even today I think it is not easy at all because at the age of 15/16 how you can know yet for sure what profession you wanna do? once I thought about a make-up artist apprenticeship and then I switched to hotel management. but what I really wanted to do was the arts college. in the end I made my apprenticeship in a office like most of us in the 80's and became finally a public relations professional.

I loved to spend my freetime near by my step-brother, he was 22 at that time and a young artist like you couldn't imagine better: always a little shy, black curled tousled hair, a greec profile and these sparkling and wild eyes...the girls went mad about him..haha...!

I just sat somewhere around in his room and watched him painting. he made his studys as photographer on the arts college and I was so fascinated by his creativity. he definitely was my idol :) I remember one day he came back from a photo session in the woods and he was so excited about the results. when he showed me the blackwhite photographs I was like "uh?" I didn't saw the model at first view..but then I discovered her on the forest floor, covered partially by leaves and her naked body was like painted by the dirt and her legs and arms seamed to be branches..

that was the moment that I decided that one day I also wanna be able to make such images, which leave you stunned and amazed by what you may discover on them...my step-brother moved to germany for his love and his art and we don't saw each other for several years.

my first exhibition I made in 2008 was in germany, near where  he lives with his wife, and so I sent them an invitation. since she is a worldwide recognized artist, she's having many exhibitions around the world and I did not know if they would be around at that time. imagine your first exhibition, you're so exited and overwhelmed by all your emotions, the feeling when you see your photos the frist time framed on a wall, so many friends came over to assist my exhibition and then he stood in front of me suddenly...I think my heart stopped beating for seconds!!

it was one of my happyest moments ever and it ment so much to me showing him my framed imaginations and discussing with him on photography and just sharing those moments with him and his lovely wife. he still is my idol ...!

when I'm drawing - and I do almost always and everywhere, p.e. in meetings, or making scribbles for my shootings - It remember's me that time with my step-brother and why I feel that passion for what I'm doing...

love, Calisto

what is real ART?

what is the main element of ART in your optinion? is it virtuosity? or expression? is it all about diversity? or uniqueness?

when do you consider something to be real ART? I am quite sure there are several perceptions. as for me, I often observe that people consider something to be art, what they think they aren't able to do in the same way. one thing I'm sure about: as different as people are and feel, as different are the ways of individual expression. but at the end, only a handfull of artists may truly blow my mind away with their oeuvre....

if you like, join the discussion on my facebook profile. I'm very curious about your point of view and about your reflections about that topic.

what is the main element of ART in your optinion?

cheers, Calisto

Icarus - rise with the sun

The deepest sorrow will be followed by a relief. After the darkest night, there will be a rising sun. and that moment, when you spread your wings and you feel your inner strength to overcome everything that crushed you down, you feel how tough you really are.

never give up, even when you don't see a light at the end of the tunnel. believe in you, because you've got the light in yourself and it will guide you - at any time. to me, this is the image of inner strenght and victory. it is about a new beginning, about leaving all behind you and rise again...

Icarus - about hope

This weekend I finally got the muse to edit some photos, my friend Carina gave me over a year ago.

There are two images showing my own interpretation of the Icarus theme. It tells the story about hope and how to get rid of old chaines. About never giving up and a sort of deep confidence to fly again one day.

This is the first image. when all is obscure and you feel alone and lost in a deserted place...after all you saved this light in you, and you still believe that you'll get over this.

yes...I would say, this is the image about hope, definitely.

the story behind

we where talking via skype with our family. it's always fun because my father in law don't talk with us, if he don't see us on the screen... haha... it's so cute :)

so while we discussed and laughted with my husbands parents, I enroled a paper and looked at the swirl it makes...I took the cam and some books with different cover-colours. Seing me standing beside my husband, Mom asked me "what are you doing there?" I've finished my photos and sat down again and smiled to her: "oh just some shoots with that Mom, nothing special". I showed her the paper swirl. And she answered me with her beautiful smile, was she already used to see me taking photos everywhere and at any time...

I guess she doens't expect a picture like that. maybe I should bring her this one framed next time we go for visit...

To me this is important in my life, to see all the little things like that little paper swirl - it's really nothing special, but give him the right frame and it will fascinate you like no other. if life could always be that easy... *sigh*

have a wonderful day everyone and have a look at all the little precious things around you :)
love, colours and swirls,
Calisto

new website design :)

hey guys :)

I was ill with pneumonia, accompagned by really bad asthma attacks. it took two weeks to make a full recovery and as you can immagine, after three days it was totally boring...haha..

so what to do? taking pictures was beyond debate and so I've decided to give a new look to my website.

and this is it *tadaa*...have a look and feel free to give me feedback :)

have a sunny and wonderful day.

cheers, Calisto

Spiegelbilder - Die gefühlsbetonten Porträtfotografien von Calisto

When Martin Zurmühle asked me to contribute to his new book, I was very flattered because I appreciate him as person and as a photographer as well. But then my harddisk crashed abd it was not sure at all, if I can save any images...but finally I could save some photography and he had all of them at time.

Now his new book is out, called "Die Magie der Fotografie oder das Geheimnis herausragender Bilder". I was so exited to finally get my copy! He made an amazing collection of great photographers and their images, with interesting interviews and explications about his 4-eye-principle.

So if you wanna read the article with my interview and see my images, click here (PDF).
And for all who wanna purchase the book, this way please :)

have a wonderful day everyone!
cheers, calisto

ARTnetwork

hello everyone,

I've foundet a group called "Soul Tales" on deviantART where we showcase storytelling and meaningful images with high quality standard. I think that's a great thing and I am really happy to see how the group grows slightly :) and by seing all the excellent artists we welcome every day in our group, I thought that we'll have to do something more with that potential: let's do ARTnetwork!

so I started the group "Soul Tales - the ARTnetwork" on facebook, where everyone can join - photographer, traditional artist, model, curator and all the art-lovers. the fb group for Soul Tales is a great opportunity to get connected with a bunch of artists all over the world and to share images, success, publications, exhibition informations and much more.

I am really curious to see where it will lead us....
have a great day everyone :)

traveller

we are all travelling through the experiences that life gives us. sometimes we have no clue which direction to take...sailing without destination, searching for this hailing port that gives us strenght and safety again...

I used to say, that we do not have to understand instantly everything that happens in live. what matters is that we don't stand still. without action no reaction - ergo no change. pause only for a little while to understand where you stand actually and where you wanna to go. than continue your travel, step by step, finding the right direction. and remember; you always find the strength in yourself, when you need it. just believe in you and go your way!

best to all of you,
calisto

Seanchaì - book out now!

My first book is now available.
44 pages, 18×18 cm / 7"x7" hardcover
printed on premium paper

Featuring images from the series "Caprice" and "visual emotions" as well as some images of my Digital Art Collection. "Seanchaì" contains over 50 photos.

For purchase and a virtual tour of the book
click on the book-icon below.
Enjoy, Calisto

Seanchaì

Photo Art Collecti...

By Calisto

Book Preview

Seanchaì

I am so happy, my book is nearby done.
this is the cover preview of Seanchaì .

Cheers, Calisto

feature and discovery

Carmen Moreno posted a wonderful feature about me and my work on her blog. thank you sweet Carmen, I do really appreciate it.

I visited her flickr account and I've found moody and romantic pictures there, with a special affinity for vintage images. really great photostream.

you guys have a great evening.
cheers, calisto

old stuff remake and open heart

when we'll wake up

some morning rain

will wash away our pain

'cause it never began for us

It'll never end for us

elisa | rainbow

model: model lie

after a huge harddisc crush I've only saved a little part of my work from the last five years. that is hard to accept, but on the other hand I see it as a chance to review my images and to remake some old stuff. such as this picture from the avantgarde nude model lie.

I am not the kind who's looking back and wishing things where gone different. to me everything has it's time and everything that happens, has it's reason.

keep your heart open,
best, calisto

strong lines, soft light

Read the full article here

all the wild horses

all the wild horses

tethered with tears in their eyes

may no man's touch eer tame

may no man's reign ever chain you

and may no man's weight ever defrayed your soul

and as for the clouds

just let them roll

roll away...

nudeART.ch

I am considering to join the nudeART club. My decision is mainly based on my appreciation for the club's president, Martin Zurmühle, who is a good friend but also one of Switzerlands nude photographers who has achieved international recognition.

In nude photography I am directly influenced by the artwork of my dear friend Vernon Trent. He has a special vision of nudes and shows that genre in his own and very philosophic way. I love his artwork and he is a huge inspiration for me as a photographer in every way.

so, as you can see, I am approaching to the nude theme again and it will certainly influence my future works. so you guys can be curious about what's coming next :)

keep tuned - my photoblog
cheers, calisto

thrill of anticipation

I started several times with a book project, but then I felt, that it was not the right time for it. not yet...until now. I am recently planning a book with such a thrill of anticipation!

to dedicate all my time for my artwork remains a dream to me. but we do never know, which way life is going. so for the moment I am sharing my time for both - work and artwork. and maybe some day...

be well out there and keep on going through the world
with eyes wide open!

best, calisto